RED FLAGS IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT

What are Developmental Red Flags?

Developmental red flags indicate a child’s underlying growth problems and delayed development. Although children develop at their own particular pace, it is not easy to tell exactly when or how a child may perfect a specific skill. However, parents know their children best, and the developmental milestones guide can give a general idea of their development. If a baby is not meeting the developmental milestones for their age, or if a parent feels there could be an issue with a child’s development, it is necessary to talk to the child’s healthcare provider and share the concerns. Acting early can make all the difference because children’s early years are the most critical years for development. Besides, research indicates that early detection and early intervention are very crucial.

Developmental Red Flags Guide

The following signs indicate possible developmental delay for the given age range.

1 Month

If by the age of 1 month, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Sucking poorly and feeding slowly.
• Refrain from blinking when shown a bright light.
• Not responding to loud sounds.
• Not focusing and following a close object moving side to side.
• Appearing stiff or, instead, rarely moving the arms and legs.
• Seeming floppy or highly loose in the limbs.
• Lower jaw trembling continuously, even when not crying.

2 Months

If by the age of 2 months, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Not noticing her hands.
• Not smiling at the sound of a familiar voice.
• Not following moving objects with the eyes.
• Not latching when bottle feeding or nursing.
• Losing a lot of formula or breastmilk out of the side of the mouth when feeding.
• Not bringing the hands to the mouth.
• Not responding to loud sounds.
• Not tracking objects or people as they move.
• Not holding the head up during tummy time.

4 Months

If by the age of 4 months, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Not holding the head up steadily.
• Not making cooing sounds or noises.
• Not grasping and holding objects.
• Not smiling at people.
• Not crying when upset.
• Not able to support the head well.
• Not reaching for and grasping objects.
• Not babbling.
• Not bringing things to the mouth.
• Not trying to imitate any familiar sounds.
• Not pushing down with the legs when the feet are on a firm surface.
• Having trouble moving one or both eyes in all directions.
• Not turning the head to locate sounds.

6 Months

If by the age of 6 months, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Appearing very stiff, with tight muscles.
• Seeming very floppy, like a rag doll.
• The head flops back when the body is pulled up to sit.
• Reaching with one hand only.
• Refusing to cuddle.
• Not attempting to grab nearby objects.
• Not showing affection for their caregivers or parents.
• One or both eyes constantly turn in or out.
• Consistent eye drainage, tearing, or sensitivity to light.
• Not responding to sounds around.
• Having difficulty getting objects to the mouth.
• Not rolling over in either direction, front to back or back to front.
• Appearing inconsolable at night.
• Not making vowel sounds, for instance, “ah,” “eh,” and “oh.”
• Not sitting with support.
• Not laughing or making squealing sounds.
• Not actively reaching for objects.
• Need to follow things at close ranges with both eyes.
• Not smiling spontaneously.

9 Months

If by the age of 9 months, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Only sitting with assistance or independently.
• Not babbling.
• Not responding to their name.
• Not putting weight on the legs when held in standing.
• Not playing any games that require back-and-forth play.
• Not recognizing familiar adults.
• Not looking where a person points.
• Not transferring toys between the two hands.

1 Year

If by the age of 1 year, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Not crawling.
• Dragging one side of the body while crawling (for over one month).
• Not standing when supported.
• Not searching for objects that are hidden while they are watching.
• Saying no single word, even “mama.”
• Not using any gestures like waving or shaking head
• Not pointing to objects or pictures.
• Losing skills they once had.

18 Months

If by the age of 18 months, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Not attempting to walk without support or stepping on toes.
• Not pointing to show objects to other people.
• Not trying to copy other people.
• Not learning new words.
• Not saying at least six words.
• Not noticing when a parent is leaving or returning.
• Losing abilities they once had. 

2 Years

If by the age of 2 years, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Not walking steadily.
• Not knowing how to use everyday objects like a spoon.
• Not pushing a wheeled toy.
• Failing to develop a stable heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking or walking exclusively on toes.
• Not speaking at least fifteen words.
• Not using two-word sentences.
• Not knowing the function of ordinary household stuff like brushes, forks, telephones, spoons, or bells, among others.
• Not imitating words or actions.
• Not following simple instructions.
• Not attempting to feed self.
• Not helping with dressing self.
• Not attempting to take off their socks and shoes.
• Losing skills they once had.

3 Years

If by the age of 3 years, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Falling recurrently.
• Not running or jumping.
• Having difficulty climbing stairs.
• Drooling continuously.
• Speaking unclearly.
• Need help manipulating small objects like turning a handle.
• Not communicating in short phrases.
• Not engaging in pretend games.
• Not interacting with other kids.
• Not understanding simple instructions.
• Making poor eye contact.
• Having little interest in toys.
• Not attempting to feed, dress, or undress self.
• Having attention difficulties.

4 Years

If by the age of 4 years, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Not able to throw a ball overhand.
• Not able to ride a tricycle.
• Not able to grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers.
• Having difficulty scribbling.
• Not able to stack four blocks.
• Appearing clingy or crying when parents leave.
• Showing no interest in interactive games.
• Ignoring other kids.
• Not responding to persons outside the family.
• Not taking part in fantasy play.
• Resisting sleeping, dressing, or using the toilet.
• Lashing out without any self-control when annoyed.
• Not able to draw a circle or lines.
• Not able to use sentences of more than three words.
• Not able to use “me” and “you” correctly.
• Not toilet trained by day.
• Speech is hard to comprehend.

5 Years

If by the age of 5 years, a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay, notify the doctor:

• Exhibiting extremely fearful, timid, or aggressive behavior.
• Unable to separate from parents without significant protest.
• Easily distracted and unable to focus on any single activity for more than five minutes.
• Showing little interest in playing with other kids.
• Refusing to respond to people in general or responding only superficially.
• Hardly ever uses fantasy or imitation in games.
• Mostly appearing unhappy.
• Not engaging in a variety of activities.
• Not expressing an array of emotions.
• Having difficulties sleeping, eating, or using the toilet.
• Unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
• Appearing unusually passive.
• Unable to understand two-part commands using prepositions, for instance, “Put the cup on the table”; “Get the ball under the couch.”
• Unable to correctly give first and last name.
• Unable to use plurals or past tense appropriately when speaking.
• Not able to talk about daily experiences and activities.
• Unable to build a tower of six to eight blocks.
• Appearing uncomfortable when holding a crayon.
• Having difficulties taking off clothing.
• Unable to brush the teeth appropriately.
• Unable to wash and dry hands.
• Not able to draw simple pictures like a stick person.
• Hoarding or stealing.
• Not able to accomplish daily routines such as dressing and feeding.
• Not able to tell a parent when something is wrong.

Red Flags At Any Age:

If a baby displays any of the following indications of developmental delay at any age, notify the doctor:

• Significant loss of skills.
• Drastic weight loss.
• Not responding to visual or sound stimuli.
• Looking out of the corner of the eye.
• Staring at flashing and bright lights.
• Interacting poorly with adults or other kids.
• Limited or no eye contact.
• There are differences between the right and left sides of the body regarding movement, strength, or tone.
• Appearing floppy or stiff.
• They are constantly spinning and rocking.